LWillisjr - Jul 2011 update

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LWillisjr

Age currently - 67

Age at onset of Peyronies Disease - 51

Very First Symptoms - I literally woke up one morning with a severe bend in my erection. Up to this point in my life my erections had been what I would consider normal and straight. I jokingly asked my wife what did she do to me the night before. I had no pain, no hourglassing or hinging. My initial curve was around 50 degrees acute, and would progress over the next few months to 70 degrees

My Peyronies Disease progression, Treatments (in order), Doctors, Psychological Stages, observable changes -

I did some of my own research on the internet, and somehow determined this might be Peyronie's Disease. I sought out what I thought was a uro specialist in this area. I got the "yep, you have Peyronies Disease and there is nothing you can do speech". I was very discouraged. I left vowing never to return to this guy, and seeking out someone else. I did some research on the internet and quickly found several articles published by a Dr. L. Levine on Peyronies Disease. Even though it is a 3 hour drive for me, I made an appointment to see him. He had a great personality and described to me what I would consider an aggressive treatment approach, totally opposite of "wait and see".

Treatments
Everyday Vitamin E / Pentoxifyline / L'Arginine
Traction with a Fastsize (or similar) device
Verapamil Injections ( went through a series of 6 injections) over a 6 month period


Psychological Stages
Confusion, anger, "Why did this happen to me". Why didn't I know of this disease before now.

Progression
Nothing noticeable over a 12 month period. I just completed my 6th VI injection, and little if any improvement. Trying to increase up to 6-8 hours per day for the traction. Dr. Levine is still giving me hope. He says that if this current treatment doesn't work, that surgery is a definite option.

Where I am today, future plans -
Even with a 70 degree bend, my wife and I are still able to engage in intercourse. Some positions obviously work a little better than others. Still no pain, and I'm able to achieve erections. I had some Erectile Dysfunction at the onset which continues to this day. Dr. Levine wants to reevaluate and discuss other options at my next visit. One option is surgery. I'm going to ask about VED as an option to try before surgery at this point.

Update - I asked Dr. Levine about VED therapy. His recommendation was that since the combination of 1. Oral meds, 2. Stretching, 3. VI injections, didn't work that he doubted that the VED would work for me. We discussed surgery and he shared results of a recent study completed on 125 of his surgery patients (I posted this in another post). I've opted for the surgery which is scheduled for July 21. I will keep you all updated.

July 21, 2008 Surgery Update - I had my Surgery 2 days ago. Due to my 70 degree bend, the surgery used was excision and grafting. The surgery was a couple of hours with an hour or so recovery for the anesthesia to wear off. I've taken it easy for a few days now, and had very little pain. I am pretty swollen and bruised however. The doctor feels we will be very pleased with the results. It will be a week or so before I am to attempt an erection, and then 6-8 weeks before intercourse. At this point we are being patient and hopeful of the results. Will keep you all updates.

July 26, 2008 - The last 2 days have been a little more painful. But the swelling is starting to subside. Because of the pain and swelling I've had no interest in trying to achieve and erection, but part of me wants to know if everything still works. So my wife and I started to kiss a little passionately this morning....  and YES, It's alive! We had to stop, as it is still a little painful, but things are working! We are really excited and encouraged at this point. I'm sure it will be still a week or so before all the pain and swelling are gone, and we can go for a full erection and see what the resultant curve is.

July 26, 2008
The pain hasn't been too bad, and I've had quite a bit of swelling and bruising for the first few days. I've seen shades of blue I didn't know existed. It has only been a few days since the surgery at this point, and we are still very hopeful for the outcome of the surgery. Still won't know for sure for several weeks yet. During the second week following surgery, I am to start low doses of Viagra to help stimulate nocturnal erections. I assume this is to insure everything still functions properly. I have a post surgery following up visit with the doctor 2 weeks following the surgery as well.

August 5th, 2008
Today was my 2 week post surgery visit with my doctor. He was very pleased with the progress. And I seem to have not lost any sensation anywhere, and everything is fully functioning! I had started low doses of Viagra the week before per his instructions, and the first few times was woken up in the middle of the night. The good news was I was getting nocturnal erections; the bad news is they were a little painful at first. All the pain and most of the swelling is now gone. The only swelling that remains is an area around the base. It is about 1 inch in length and all the way around the circumference. He said that this swelling is the result of a hematoma. And that this can happen as a result of the surgery, and that this will absolve over time. I forgot to ask how long though...   He recommended a stretching therapy for the next 4 weeks. This basically includes stretching the penis for about 5 minutes twice a day over the next 4 weeks, and no intercourse yet during this time. My wife and I are very pleased at this point. Other than the swelling from the hematoma, everything seems back to normal, and the good news is erections ARE STRAIGHT...... No more curve!

November 2010
I went to see Dr. Levine earlier this week. It was my 2 year post surgery check up. I reported that I am still straight, and fully functional. My wife and I have been very pleased with the results of the surgery. I've almost forgotten what it was like to have 70 degree acute bend with Peyronies. My penis/erections are not exactly the same as before all this started, but very thankful to be where I am today. Wife and I are very happy, and we continue to counsel with others who are battling Peyronies Disease.

July 2011
It has been 3 years this month since my "Excision and Grafting" surgery. I'm pleased to report that there have been no adverse changes. Erections are still straight. I consider myself Peyronies free, but I will always remember the mental stress that my wife and I dealt with during that time period. I still have a reminder in that the Peyronies left me 2 cm shorter. Other than that everything else is fine. Straight and fully functional. If there are any positives in all this, it is the fact that I have met many people here that I never would have otherwise who all share a common affliction. Though I consider myself fortunate and cured, I continue to counsel those who battle this, and continue to pray that soon there will be a cure.
Developed peyronies 2007 - 70 degree dorsal curve
Traction/MEDs/Injections/Surgery 2008 16 years Peyronies free now
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